History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 52

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875

USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time > Part 52

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Democrat, September 20-" The war flag presented by Alderman Granger to Captain Mower was returned by him to the donor, and by him displayed in the Dem- ocrat office."

Democrat, November 13 -- "Captain C. C. Sibley left this city on Thursday, the 12th. He has been recruit- ing here, and has been successful in raising a large body of excellent soldiers. He leaves an interesting family in this city. Captain Sibley is attached to the 5th Regi- ment of United States Infantry.“

Democrat, November 23 -" Up to date following members of Captain Kinney's company F 5th Regi- ment have died : F. MeDaniels, en route to Sante Fe. David T. Blackman and James Carr, at Santa Fé."

Democrat, November 23-"Captain Swift's cavalry company, accompanied by a piece of artillery and a band of music, paraded the streets yesterday. They made a one appearance and created an unusual stir in the city. After parading the streets the company re- tired without the city limits and continued firing some time. We should judge from the time between each report that the gun was well handled."

Democrat, November 23-" The cavalry and flying artillery meet to-day at the old garrison ground. We hope all who take an interest in military affairs will be in attendance. The artillery will be escorted by a band

* Probably meaning the fourth volunteer company, and excluding the reg- uları.

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of music outside the city limits, where there will be the Arroya Colorado, and arrived at the Rio Grande, some practice in gunnery."

Democrat, November 13-" At meeting of citizens at the office of R. K. Swift, for the purpose of organiz- ing a company of cavalry and flying artillery, Mr. Ran- kins was chairman, and C. F. Howe, secretary. Com- mittec on Constitution : Captain J. B. F. Russell, R. K. Swift, John R. Orr, James Smith and C. F. Howe ; Committee on Uniform, R. K. Swift and Dr. Board- man."

Democrat, November 23-"'City Guards.'-A num- ber of the young men of the city are forming themselves into a military company under the above title. W. W. Danenhower, 88 LaSalle Street, is the secretary of the company, who will give any information respecting the organization."

" REGIMENTAL. HEADQUARTERS, CHICAGO, December 20, 1847. "Order No. -. An election will be held at The office of Captain William B. Snowhook, of the Montgomery Guards, in the city of Chicago, at 3 o'clock r. M., on the 1st day of January next, for the purpose of filling vacancies of office.

"J. B. F. RessEL.L. Colonel both Regiment."

CHICAGO HUSSARS, ATTENTION !

"Order No. 2 :- The members of the company are hereby notified to attend drill after this date at the Rio Grande House, on Lasalle Street, on every Wednesday evening. Any person who may wish to join the company will please make his application at the drill room or to some member of the company. " By order of CAPTAIN SWIFT. " WILLIAM GAMBLE, Orderly Sergeant.

Democrat, December 30-" The Peace meeting on Tuesday evening December 28 , was a failure. No entha- siasm, no crowd. A Dutch ' chief cook and bottle wash- er.'"

Journal, July 12-" W. N. Chambers, a young gen- tleman of this city, attached to Colonel Doniphan's com- mand, returned home last evening. Mr. Chambers marched via Santa Fe and Chihuahua to Monterey. where he joined General Taylor's army after a fatiguing march of eleven months."

Journal, December 22-" A Peace Meeting was held at the Tabernacle last evening. We noticed a large number of our most worthy and respectable citizens in attendance. The Rev. Mr. Adams was chosen chair- man, and an address in opposition to the continuance of the war read and adopted. A Peace Society was organized, and resolutions and a memorial to Congress presented. The meeting then adjourned till next 'Tues- day evening, when the memorial and resolutions will come up for discussion."

Journal, July 9-" Mexican soldiers from the war can have their papers forwarded to Washington and land warrants immediately procured, by applying at J. B. F. Russell's land agency."

MR. HOLDEN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF THE MEXICAN WAR.

The following, from the peti of Charles C. P. Hokien, himself a soldier of the. Mexican War, is, without doubt, the best sketch of the part Chicago and Cook County took in that war that has thus far been written :

In May, 1845, on the annexation of Texas, General Taylor was ordered to place his troops in such a posi- tion as to defend that State against a threatened Mexi- can invasion. In August of that year he concentrated his troops at Corpus Christi, where he remained until March 11. 1846, when he hroke up his encampment and moved the army of occupation westward : this was com- posed of only about four thousand regulars. On the zoth of March he reached and passed without resistance

to which point he had been ordered by the authorities at Washington, after considerable suffering, on the 29th of that month. Here he took every means to assure the Mexicans that his purpose was neither war nor vio- lence in any shape, but solely the occupation of the Texas territory to the Rio Grande, until the boundary should be definitely settled by the two republics.

Encamping opposite Metamoras, General Taylor prepared for Mexican aggression by erecting fortifica- tions and planting batteries. Provisions became short, the American Army possessed but little ammunition and were in many other ways discouraged, but the hattle of Palo Alto was commenced, and gloriously was it won on May 8, 1846. On the following day the two opposing armies again met at Resaca de la Palma, within three miles of Fort Brown: the battle com- menced with great fury ; the artillery on both sides did terrible execution, and extraordinary skill was dis- played by the opposing Generals ; but again conquest declared for the United States Army. These victories filled our country with exultation; Government acknowl- edged the distinguished services of General Taylor by making him Major-General by hrevet. Congress passed resolutions of high approval ; Louisiana presented him with a sword, and the Press everywhere teemed with his praise.

War had now been actually declared between the two Governments in real combat, and on May 11, 1846, Congress passed an act declaring that "By the act of the Republic of Mexico a state of war exists be- tween that Government and the United States." Simul- taneously that body appropriated 810,000,000 to carry on the war and empowered the President to accept fifty thousand volunteers.

It was about May 20 before the official news reached the capital of our State and also the city of Chicago. It spread like wild-fire. Governor Ford issued his proc- lamation calling for thirty full companies of volunteers to serve, for twelve months, with the privilege of elect- ing their own company and regimental officers. Within ten days thirty-five full companies had organized and reported to the Governor, and by the time the place of rendezvous had been selected Alton , there had been seventy-five companies raised and each anxious to be the first in the field, of which the Governor Ford' had to select thirty companies, the full quota of the State. Two of these companies were accorded to our city, one of which was headed hy Captain Lyman Mower and the other by Captain Elisha Wells. When the news first reached Chicago, Captain Mower, then a thoroughgoing young merchant, seizing the opportunity unfurled his flag and established his headquarters for a company for the Mexican War. There was a great rush and Captain Mower was the lion of the day. Well does the writer remember the company of young men headed by their young and zealous commander as they marched through our streets to the stirring music of fife and drum. In that day and time those who opposed the war said that to enlist at that period for service in that distant country to fight a well-drilled and thoroughly-organized army composed of Spaniards, Mexicans and Indians, among the chaparral of Mexico was sure death. Never- theless the rush of young men to uphold the stars and stripes in that conflict seemed to know no end. Chicago was then but in its infancy, having a population of over fourteen thousand, but her people were resolute and patriotic to the very core-only a few years had passed since the same barbaric scenes which were then of daily uxcurrence on the frontier of Texas had been perpetrated

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at their own homes in and about where Chicago then stood.

The second company under the leadership of Cap- tain Elisha Wells was soon raised and ready for the field. Many citizens of Chicago with their money and ,means aided these two companies in organizing and pre- paring for the front, and among those who were fore- most in this landable work was the late Augustus Gar- rett, who was then just retiring from a three years service three terms' as Mayor of the then young city. He was full of the enthusiasm that prevailed at that time and wanted to see his young and growing city take a front rank in the conflict then pending with Mexico. The late Hon. John P. Chapin succeeded Mr. Garrett as Mayor of the city in the spring of 1846, and he too was enthusiastic for pushing on the war but just begun. It was his desire that the prairie city should be heard from in no uncertain terms in that conflict, Captain Sibley of the regular army opened a recruiting office for enlist. ing men for the regular army and many having failed to get into the volunteer companies, enlisted in that service being determined to aid in the subjugation of Mexico even though it were at the peril of their lives.

The following is the list of those who enlisted in Captain Mower's company and it is believed to be en- tirely correct. Every man in this company enlisted in Chicago. In a letter from Captain Lyman Mower, who is now living in Milwaukee, he informs the writer that they were all enlisted here and belonged in Cook County at the time. Their names were: Captain, Lyman Mower; First Lieutenant, William Erwin; Second Lieutenants, Samuel M. Parsons and Mathew Moran; Sergeants, Joshua Herrindan, Frederick Hailborn, Augustus Til- ford and Dewitt C. Davis; Corporals, Samuel Scott, Charles Banks, Benjamin Van Vrankin, and George D. Slack; musicians, John Helms, and Augustus Stemple; privates, Simon Atley, Phillip Asant, David Baker, Henry Bruner, Michael C. Brennan, George C. Bunker, Lewis Battleman, W. Cline, James Carle, James Carlin, Edward Devoe, David Dolson, John H. Durling, Isaac English, Harmon Ellering, Stephen Elain, Abraham Franks, Tina P. Fuller, Charles Fowk, Eliacune Gard- ner, John Gardner, Lyman Guinnip, Jonathan Groves, Luther Groves, Michael Hyde, Austin Handy, Nelson Johnson, Cyrus Lathrop; Charles Myers, John Miller, Jacob Miller, Michael McCarty, W. P. Olmstead, Chris- tian Osmand, George Phettiplace, Henry Porter, Will- iam Phinisy, Edward F. Rowe, Frederick Roth, Fred- erick Rickow, W. H. H. Robinson, Frederick Shrader, Augustus Steinhouse, Harmon Secomb, John H. Tem- ple, John Warian, Frederick Wenter. Samuel Waters, John Wells, James Walker, John Wise, Francis Bur- roughs, Adam Black, George Upperinan, Freeman Wil- lett. Frederick Weaver and Franklin Carney.

The soldiers raised by Captain Wells were all en- listed in Chicago, and Augustus Steinhouse, now in the United States Custom Service in this city, informs the writer that all the members of this company were en- listed and rightfully belonged to this city, where they were credited on the muster-roll of the company at that time. Their names were : Elisha Wells, Captain, who was subsequently transferred when M. P. Smith was elected to the captaincy; First Lieutenant, Patrick Higgins; Second Lieutenants, William A. Clark, Elias B. Zabriska; Sergeants, Arthur Perry, Abraham Peters, Chauncey H. Snow, Alfred Wrose; Corporals, Patrick Mehan, I .. M. Mathews, George Mackenzie, George P. Wilmot; Musicians, D. M. Burdick, Levi Bixby; Pri- vates, W. O. Anderson, Patrick Burke, James A. Blan- chard, John Burkholder, Thomas J. Burr, John Bisbec,

John D. Boneby, Peter Conover, Patrick Clemens, Henry Crane, Bradley Chandler, Junius Dilley, Peter Dolan, James T. Eason, Simeon 1. Ells, Leroy 1). Fitch, Michael Finton, Thomas Gavin, Edward D. Garregus. Hiram Gun, Demis Griffin, Thomas Gorman, James Gitty, John Howland, W. Hodge, Edward Huzey, Michael Half, George W. Krebbs, Solomon Kirkman, Patrick Murray, John Malone, Phillip Mains, Thomas T. Moore, James O'Rourke, Francis Quinn, Joseph H. Pratt, Thomas Riley, B. A. Richards, John L. Smith, Jeremiah Sullivan, Barney Seary, O. C. Taylor, George W. Underhill, Edward Wright, Thomas P. White, S. T. Woolworth, Thomas Dilley.

These two companies were at once furnished trans- portation to Alton, by stage to LaSalle and thence to Alton by steamer, where they arrived about June 10. and were mustered into the United States service June 18, 1846. When the thirty full companies arrived at Alton, they were formed into three regiments, known and commanded as follows: First Regiment, Colonel John J. Hardin; Second Regiment. Colonel William H. Bissell; Third Regiment, Colonel Ferris Foreman.

In the meantime the Fourth Regiment had been formed and fully organized with Colonel Edward D. Baker as their commander. The two Chicago com- panies were attached to the famous First Regiment- as companies B and K. Company B was commanded by Elisha Wells, and Company K by Lyman Mower ..

These four regiments were immediately pushed to the front, where they were in good time heard from in the very heart of Mexico, at Buena Vista and Cerro Gordo, where many of them fell a sacrifice to that war. Among the number may be mentioned Colonel John J. Hardin, of the First IHinois, together with one Captain, one subaltern and twenty-six enlisted mien, making a total of twenty-nine killed, while two subalterns and six- teen enlisted men were wounded and three missing.

The Second Regiment, which was headed by the late Governor Bissell, lost two Captains, one subaltern, and twenty-nine enlisted men ; total, thirty-two killed ; had wounded two Captains, six subalterns, and sixty-three enlisted men, and four missing. The aggregate loss for this reginient was one hundred and twenty-six. The term of service having expired, the First and Second regiments, which were at Buena Vista, were discharged at Camargo, Mexico, June 17, 1847.

The Third and Fourth regiments, which were in the battle of Cerro Gordo, were discharged in New Orleans, La., May 25, 1847.

The Secretary of War, April 19, 1847, made a requi- sition for six thousand more volunteers to "serve during the war " to take the place of those whose term of enlistment was to expire. Of this call but one regi- ment was assigned to the State of Illinois. Governor French issned his call for another regiment in conformity to the requisition of the Secretary of War early in May, and young men throughout the State, as well as many older ones, offered themselves by thousands. In Chicago they sprang up as by magic. On May 11, the Chicago Democrat said : " The Chicago cavalry em- braces the very flower of our city ; young men com- manding the highest confidence, both for their talents and integrity. We hope these young men who did their business on ten hours' notice will be accepted."

In its issue of May 18 appeared the following : "Colonel Hamilton has just arrived from Springfield. and we learn that he has had the Chicago Horse Com- pany accepted as a company of infantry, and that there is no probability of having our second company accepted unless the express arrived early on Monday morning,

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as there was a great rush to get a chance to volunteer from all parts of the State."

At that time there were no telegraphs, and hence the long delay in communicating with the capital of our State, to say nothing about the delays in reaching Washington, from whence all war orders came. The writer was a member of " the Chicago Horse Company," and it was only by hard work and a little stategy that the late Colonel Richard J. Hamilton succeeded in having it accepted as one of the infantry companies for the new regiment. It was raised quickly, and upon receipt of the glorious news that it was accepted, an election was held for company officers, with the follow- ing results : For Captain, Thomas B. Kenney ; First Lieutenant, Murray F. Tuley ; Second Lieutenants, Richard N. Hamilton and James N. Hunt, with the fol- lowing rank and file : Sergeants, Alvin V. Morey, John . A. Knights, William Forsyth and John B. Goodrich : Corporals, Charles C. P. Holden, George Brinsmaid, George Hewitt and Levi R. Vantassell ; fifer, Charles Styles ; drummer, George Carson ; privates, James H. Allen, William H. Black, Robert Croft, James H. God- frey, Edgar Pool, Jeremiah Styles, Spencer Pratt, Will- iam Daniels, Hendrick Hattendorf, Ashley Anderson, Brebson W. Brunker, John M. Bour, John Burns, Nelson Barnum, Richmond S. Danforth, George W. Case. James Foster, Alfred T. Woodford, James Rote, Asa H. Cochman, George B. Bull, William P. Gregg, John P. Girard, Amos N. Griffith, Joseph Gardner, Lyman Herrick, Harvey Hall, Seth P. Huntington, Daniel Huntley, Alanson Halleck, Iver Johnson, Fred- erick Kratzer, Henry Lahr, William Mathews, William Mudge, Morris H. Morrison, Theophilus Michael, James V. Ramsden, Nicholas Rodholtz, Gotrich Stroh, Augustus H. Seider. Freeman Thornton, Henry Snight, Alexander H. Tappan, Christopher F. U'tho, Adam Wiley, James C. Young, Erastus D. Brown, Peter Back- man, August Eberhard, Stephen Emory, James K. Hugunin, John W. Hipwell, Jacob Kensling, Lorenzo D. Loring, James D. Morgan, Lorenzo D. Maynard, Charles J. McCormick, Phineas Page, Valentine Rhein- hard, Julius C. Shepherd, John T. Rolph, Julius C. Shaw, Thomas Scacor, John W. Strebel, Levi R. Van- tassell, James Wilson, Seymour Whitbeck, Luther G. Hagar, Alexander Freeman, Daniel Martin.

When thus organized it was at once ordered to re- port at Alton, Ill., the general rendezvous for all Illinois volunteers for the Mexican War. The company proceeded thither via stage, to LaSalle, where a steamer was in readiness which took it down the Illinois River to Alton, where it arrived about May 30, 1847, and im- mediately went into camp. And here soldier-life con- menced in real earnest. The city was flooded with the new companies and many others; Indeed, there were several fragmentary companies, partly filled, which had reported at Alton with the hope of being accepted and subsequently filling their companies to the maximum number. These companies were doomed to disappoint- ment, as only the ten companies which had reported to the Governor in the first instance could be accepted at this time. James R. Hugunin, of this city. had the nucleus of a fine company which he tendered to the State for service in Mexico. There were many other companies also tendered, all of which were refused, when they immediately broke up their company organ- izations, and the individual members applied to be ad- mitted to the ranks of such companies as had been accepted by the State and General Government, and it is believed, a large majority of them were thus accepted, as the Chicago company had more than one hundred

upon its rolls, eighty· five of whom belonged in Chicago and the towns immediately surrounding the city, and were credited to Chicago.

The regiment was now ready to complete its organ- ization, and Captain Edward W. B. Newby, of the Brown County company, was elected Colonel of the same. Henderson B. Boyakin, a private in Captain Turner's Marion County company, was elected Lieutenant Colonel, and. Captain Israel B. Donaldson, of the Pike County company, was elected Major. Colonel Richard J. Hamilton, of Chicago, who had been father of the Chi- cago company, was a candidate for the colonelcy, but was defeated in the ballot by E. W. B. Newby.

The regiment having completed its organization, was ready to march at an hour's notice. The Chicago company was presented with a beautiful banner by the ladies of Alton, and the members were all in high spirits and anxious to move to the front, expecting to be or- dlered to Scott's line of the army, then en route from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. But judge of the surprise of the regiment when the order did come, and they were marched to the steamers for transportation tlown the river, and when well under way, and just op- posite the mouth of the Missouri River, the transports

turned suddenly into and up that stream, when for the first time their destination was known. It was Santa Fe, where they arrived after a tedious and hard jour- ney across the plains September 16, 1847. The steamer brought them to Fort Leavenworth, where they re- mained, making all necessary preparations for the march across the country, which was entered upon about July 6. Fort Leavenworth at that time was on the castern border of the Indian Territory, and upon starting out from that post the command took a sontherly direction until it had crossed the Kaw River, which crossing was at a point below where the city of Lawrence, Kan .. now stands. Soon after crossing the river they took the Santa Fe trail. Thus far they had traveled through the country occupied by the civilized Indians, but soon after entered that of the hostiles. On passing Council Grove, and from that point to Los Vegas, the country through which they passed was occupied by the worst tribes of Indians that ever infested the plains. There were traveling under the protection of this command a large number of traders en route to Santa Fe. They had elegant trains, consisting of six mule teams, heavily loaded with goods for New Mexico and the lower coun- try. They sought the company of this detachment of soldiers to protect them from the savages, of whom they always had mortal fear, but during the entire dis- tance through this hostile country the writer has no recollection of having seen or even heard of an Indian. They gave the army a wide berth, fearing, no doubt. the old flint lock muskets with which it was armed.

About the time the Fifth Regiment left Alton another was forming-the Sixth Regiment-composed in a large part of those companies and men that had failed to be accepted in the Fifth. This regiment was commanded by Colonel James Collins, who had brought a company from Galena, Ill., as C'aptain of the same. He was elected Colonel August 3, 1847. There were many Chicagoans in that regiment. Among the number were: . In Cinnpany A, Martin Clark, Lewis Johnson, Damon C. Kennedy, Aaron Messechar, Thomas Mullen, Martin MeRorgh, James McDonald, Job A. Orton, William A. Thornton ; in Company E. Thomas C. Jones, Lock- wood Kellogg, Frank Smith, John Worrell, Charles Brown, George Robinson ; in Company F, Andrew Bauder, James R. Ross, Vernon J. Hopkins, William A. Hedges, James M. Johnson, Henry McGuire, An-

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drew Mackay. James A. Nelson, John Reynolds; in Company 1, Joseph R. Anderson, Artemas 1 .. Ben- jamin, Henry Blowney, Lafayette Lock, Thomas Pol- lard, Hugh Riley : in Company K, Edward Connuff, John Reed, Clark W. Roberts, Timothy Ryan, Hiram Shook. This regiment was ordered to Scott's line, and suffered terribly by sickness and disease, and some were killed in the battle at San Juan, Mexico. When they went into the field the regiment numbered 1,046, of- ficers and men. Of those, four Captains, nine Lieuten- ants, and two hundred and eighty non-commissioned officers and privates died of disease and were killed be- tween the City of Mexico and Vera Cruz. The wreck of this regiment returned to Alton, Ill., where it was mustered out of the service July 24, 1848.

Under the act of Congress, approved May 13, 1846, the following companies of mounted volunteers were raised at various points in the State, to-wit: Captain A. Dunlap, company numbering 138 officers and men; Captain M. K. Lawler's, 121 officers and men; Captain Josiah Littell's, 103 officers and men; Captain Wyatt B. Stapps's, 97 officers and men; and Lieutenant G. C. Lamphere's, 31 officers and men; a total of 490.

During the spring of 1846 Captain C. C. Sibley came to Chicago and opened a recruiting office. He enlisted a large number of men, and in the winter and spring of 1847 he continued enlistments in Chicago, Captain E B. Bills, of Naperville, Ills., under the act of Congress known as the "ten regiment bill" enlisted a full com- pany in Cook County for service in Mexico.

All the record that the writer is able to find of these enlistments is to be found on pages 314. 315 and 316 of the Adjutant-General's report, State of Illinois, which is very imperfect. Three pages are devoted to these en. listinents and the list contains 343 names. Further than that the record is silent. Not a date is given, nor where the recruits were from, nor what became of them. They appear to have been about equally credited to three companies, to-wit: Company G, 16th Infantry, were allowed 118; Company A, 16th Infantry, 124, and Com. pany E, 14th Infantry, 101-giving a total of 343. Nn record is to be found of the company raised by Captain E. B. Bills, though his full company was raised in Cook and adjoining counties, in the spring of 1847, and the zealous Captain led his company to Mexico. And this is all the writer is able to say of Captain Bills and his company, or of the 343 men enlisted by Captain C. C. Sibley. General Isaac H. Elliott, Adjutant-General of the State, on page 314 of his report, says, concerning these men: "The Adjutant-General of the army when applied to for data as to the killed, wounded, discharg- ed, etc., stated 'I have the honor to inform you by direction of the Secretary of War that the request can- not be complied with; it being contrary to the well established practice of the office and not consistent with the interest of the public service."" This is simply a disgraceful blot on the fair fame and honor of Illinois, whose sons went forth at the call of the President to fight and die, if need be, for their country's aggrandize- ment, and this is the only State record left to their heirs and country. There were many other enlistments in Chicago and Cook County, but the above number are all that can be traced by any printed record.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 52

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas Number of Pages: 875

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875